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The beer here is really, really good.
Bent Paddle Brewing Company / Facebook

Find the Best Breweries in the Twin Ports

Drinking well in Duluth and Superior

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The beer here is really, really good.
| Bent Paddle Brewing Company / Facebook

As the craft beer scene in the Twin Cities has exploded over the last six years, the Northland has kept pace and boasts an attractive brewing community for any beer lover. Duluth offers taprooms that have opened in the last year, some anticipated that are yet to open, and some at breweries with histories that span more than a century. All of which can be enjoyed in front of the stunning backdrop of Lake Superior.

Whether you live in town or are planning a trip to the North Shore, all the information for your craft beer needs can be found here. This is our very first essential guide to Duluth taprooms. Cheers! And please, Duluth responsibly.

Breweries are listed in geographical order, from west to east. Not ranked.

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Lake Superior Brewing Co

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Ex-scientist turned master brewer Bob Dromeshauser founded a small brewery and homebrew supply shop in 1994. Today, LSB is one of the most beloved breweries in the Northland and continues to specialize in producing ales from the English and German tradition from their home brewing days. The Kayak Kölsch and Sir Duluth Oatmeal Stout highlight the local favorites. Their taproom has a very literal “hidden treasure” feel to it, tucked into the corner of the actual production floor. Tours are available on a first come, first-served basis.

Always refreshing
Lake Superior Brewing Co. / Facebook

Bent Paddle Brewing Co. - Brewery + Taproom

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Launching in 2013, it didn’t take long for the two married couples who run Bent Paddle to grow into the Northern brewing giants they now are. This beer can be found virtually everywhere but a trip to the official taproom, the Bent Tap, is well worth visiting. Tours take place every Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. and Brewasana Yoga classes are offered twice a month.

Kanu around the great lake
Bent Paddle / Facebook

Hoops Brewing Company

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Former Fitger’s brew master Dave Hoops started up his own shop in Canal Park in June of 2017 and it’s no small shop. The beer hall is the second largest in the state behind only Surly’s palatial domain. The massive space still provides a comforting North woods feel with original wood columns made of Douglas fir from the Pacific Northwest and several different rooms offering intimate settings. Quality and variety will be in abundance at the destination beer. There are 30 tap lines in the taproom and Hoops has plans to use them all.

One of the most anticipated breweries of 2017 is now open in Canal Park
Hoops Brewing / Facebook

Blacklist Artisan Ales

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After brewing beer since 2012, Blacklist found a perfect home for a taproom inside a storied address on Superior Street. (It’s hardly the last place on earth, one would expect to find a brewery.) The 5,700 square-foot taproom is housed in a 109-year-old brownstone building. The tap list includes their various and creative styles of Belgians with the Belgian-IPA reigning supreme as the local favorite. Happy hour is held every day at various times, including Industry Night on Sundays featuring $18 boots.

The taproom takes advantage of the balmy Duluth weather
Blacklist / Facebook

Canal Park Brewing Company

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Canal Park Brewing’s motto is “Beer from a place you won’t forget” and this beautiful location and taproom brings these words to life. A year-round patio providing the scenic backdrop of Lake Superior promise to make every visit memorable. Tours are available Friday-Sunday and the $12 beer geek package nets a Canal Park pint glass and three tasting beers in addition to the tour. Yard games and a fire pit provide plenty of warmth, since it’s always colder by the lake.

Nice view of the lake
Canal Park Brewing Co. / Facebook

Fitger's Brewhouse Brewery and Grille

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With a history that dates back all the way to the 1850s, Fitger’s brewing has long been a staple in Duluth’s brewing community. Their current Brewhouse opened at their massive facility in 1995 and produces more than 2,500 barrels of 100 different varieties of brews each year. Visit with an empty stomach as well, the Brewhouse offers some of the best selections in local food (see Wild Rice Burger, yum) and offers live music five nights a week. Tours are available on Saturdays at 2:00 and 3:30 p.m.

Fitger's Brewery complex in Duluth. Photo courtesy Fitger's
Beautiful inside and out, just like the beer
Fitger’s Brewery Complex

Thirsty Pagan Brewing

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Over in Superior, Wisconsin sits Thirsty Pagan Brewing and it is definitely worth hopping over state lines. Thirsty Pagan owner Steve Knauss says, "We recognize our potential in focusing on just two things, pizza and beer. Do those two things correctly, and the world will come to us," that’s a business plan the whole world should agree on. The taproom is a must-visit for any lover of sour beers, five specialty sours currently populate the tap list. Live music is offered daily.

A barroom Wisconsin beer glory
The Thirsty Pagan / Facebook

Castle Danger Brewery

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Located 30 minutes North on the fresh coast is Castle Danger Brewery in Two Harbors, MN and it is well worth the drive. Their classic Cream Ale has garnered massive popularity in Minnesota and the rest of the tap list does not disappoint. Other popular selections include the 17-7 Pale Ale and the Ode IPA. The taproom itself is a beauty and sits right on Lake Superior. Live music and food trucks are available on Fridays and tours are offered on Saturdays.

Sunning outside Castle Danger in Two Harbors
Castle Danger / Facebook

Lake Superior Brewing Co

Ex-scientist turned master brewer Bob Dromeshauser founded a small brewery and homebrew supply shop in 1994. Today, LSB is one of the most beloved breweries in the Northland and continues to specialize in producing ales from the English and German tradition from their home brewing days. The Kayak Kölsch and Sir Duluth Oatmeal Stout highlight the local favorites. Their taproom has a very literal “hidden treasure” feel to it, tucked into the corner of the actual production floor. Tours are available on a first come, first-served basis.

Always refreshing
Lake Superior Brewing Co. / Facebook

Bent Paddle Brewing Co. - Brewery + Taproom

Launching in 2013, it didn’t take long for the two married couples who run Bent Paddle to grow into the Northern brewing giants they now are. This beer can be found virtually everywhere but a trip to the official taproom, the Bent Tap, is well worth visiting. Tours take place every Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. and Brewasana Yoga classes are offered twice a month.

Kanu around the great lake
Bent Paddle / Facebook

Hoops Brewing Company

Former Fitger’s brew master Dave Hoops started up his own shop in Canal Park in June of 2017 and it’s no small shop. The beer hall is the second largest in the state behind only Surly’s palatial domain. The massive space still provides a comforting North woods feel with original wood columns made of Douglas fir from the Pacific Northwest and several different rooms offering intimate settings. Quality and variety will be in abundance at the destination beer. There are 30 tap lines in the taproom and Hoops has plans to use them all.

One of the most anticipated breweries of 2017 is now open in Canal Park
Hoops Brewing / Facebook

Blacklist Artisan Ales

After brewing beer since 2012, Blacklist found a perfect home for a taproom inside a storied address on Superior Street. (It’s hardly the last place on earth, one would expect to find a brewery.) The 5,700 square-foot taproom is housed in a 109-year-old brownstone building. The tap list includes their various and creative styles of Belgians with the Belgian-IPA reigning supreme as the local favorite. Happy hour is held every day at various times, including Industry Night on Sundays featuring $18 boots.

The taproom takes advantage of the balmy Duluth weather
Blacklist / Facebook

Canal Park Brewing Company

Canal Park Brewing’s motto is “Beer from a place you won’t forget” and this beautiful location and taproom brings these words to life. A year-round patio providing the scenic backdrop of Lake Superior promise to make every visit memorable. Tours are available Friday-Sunday and the $12 beer geek package nets a Canal Park pint glass and three tasting beers in addition to the tour. Yard games and a fire pit provide plenty of warmth, since it’s always colder by the lake.

Nice view of the lake
Canal Park Brewing Co. / Facebook

Fitger's Brewhouse Brewery and Grille

With a history that dates back all the way to the 1850s, Fitger’s brewing has long been a staple in Duluth’s brewing community. Their current Brewhouse opened at their massive facility in 1995 and produces more than 2,500 barrels of 100 different varieties of brews each year. Visit with an empty stomach as well, the Brewhouse offers some of the best selections in local food (see Wild Rice Burger, yum) and offers live music five nights a week. Tours are available on Saturdays at 2:00 and 3:30 p.m.

Fitger's Brewery complex in Duluth. Photo courtesy Fitger's
Beautiful inside and out, just like the beer
Fitger’s Brewery Complex

Thirsty Pagan Brewing

Over in Superior, Wisconsin sits Thirsty Pagan Brewing and it is definitely worth hopping over state lines. Thirsty Pagan owner Steve Knauss says, "We recognize our potential in focusing on just two things, pizza and beer. Do those two things correctly, and the world will come to us," that’s a business plan the whole world should agree on. The taproom is a must-visit for any lover of sour beers, five specialty sours currently populate the tap list. Live music is offered daily.

A barroom Wisconsin beer glory
The Thirsty Pagan / Facebook

Castle Danger Brewery

Located 30 minutes North on the fresh coast is Castle Danger Brewery in Two Harbors, MN and it is well worth the drive. Their classic Cream Ale has garnered massive popularity in Minnesota and the rest of the tap list does not disappoint. Other popular selections include the 17-7 Pale Ale and the Ode IPA. The taproom itself is a beauty and sits right on Lake Superior. Live music and food trucks are available on Fridays and tours are offered on Saturdays.

Sunning outside Castle Danger in Two Harbors
Castle Danger / Facebook

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